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Monday, December 15, 2014

As another Thanksgiving fades into memory and Christmas and the holidays approach, this year is going to be different.

For the first time in my life, I will spend Christmas without a call or card from my mom. In case you didn't know, I lost my mom in March. She had battled a failing heart for more than two years and in the end it gave out.

My father has been dead since 1981 and I realize I've spent more years without him than I have with him. But mom has always been there. When I was in Kuwait, I called her. She was so surprised at how clear the call was. For a moment, she thought I was stateside. When I was stationed in Germany, I called her, and though the miles between us was great, I always knew Mom was there. When her first grandchild was born, I called Mom from the hospital and was the first to call her grandma. I told her she had a granddaughter--she and my dad has always wanted a girl. When my son was born, I videotaped him and my daughter, and some of the sights and sounds of Germany for her to enjoy.

Recently my church did a Christmas drama with music and I had a solo part. Because of the 700 miles that separated us, Mom usually didn't get a chance to hear me sing and perform much in the past two decades. This time, I think she did and I sang my heart out because I figured she was watching.

Through births and deaths, ups and downs of life, there was always Mom to lean on. The end was tough on her and watching her struggle and slowly fade away was tough on my brother and I. Perhaps you are watching the decline of a parent. I know your pain and I feel your frustrations.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

As I write this, I'm sitting at my desk with a glass of orange juice enjoying the rest of my breakfast. It will be a busy day for me, as I'm sure it will be for you as well. There is food to prepare (and eat) and perhaps football to watch and spending time with family and friends.

I have so much to be thankful for this year. Even though I went through the loss of my mom and an uncle (who was like a second father to me), I have been comforted through it all by my faith and the discernment to see His hand in so much of my life.

I am blessed with good friends and family. I am blessed to have you, my fans, and to have your support and encouragement. I am blessed with good health and my children are well and have grown up to be good solid and productive adults.

I am also blessed with a good wife. Not once in all the years when I struggled to find my voice and too write that first book, did she ever tell me that maybe I should give up on this writing thing. John Logan might never have seen the light of day without her unwavering support and for that (and her) I am truly thankful.

John Logan has found a new home at Pro Se Productions. Cold Dish, Nichol’s debut novel with Pro Se, is the fifth novel in the Logan Series. And now Logan’s first four adventures are also available, all together in one action adventure omnibus from Pro Se Productions.

“It’s really exciting,” says Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief and Partner in Pro Se Productions, “ to get a chance to publish a series like the Logan thrillers. Rick Nichols has created a world and a cast of characters that are engaging and exciting. Rick not only shows his creativity and deft skill at constructing a multifaceted mystery through these books, but he pays homage to some of the best characters and authors in the Private Eye genre. Having said that, Logan also leaves his own indelible mark, handling what comes at him in his own explosive way. Four in the Chamber is the first four books in the series and they’ll leave you on the edge of your seat guaranteed.”

Four in the Chamber features the first four John Logan thrillers-

SURVIVOR’S AFFAIRJohn Logan has left his life in the intelligence community behind, eking out a meager living as a private investigator and trying to stay off the espionage radar. But keeping a low profile proves harder than he thought when Coral Bay's millionaire Golden Boy ends up on the wrong side of a Samurai sword and his former mentor's wayward daughter the number one suspect. Finding himself honor bound, Logan is forced to join the hunt for the real killer.

THE AFFAIRS OF MENPrivate Investigator John Logan has always been haunted by the tragic mission years before that took the lives of his black-ops team. But when he sees one of his former teammates alive in downtown Coral Bay, with a luscious woman by his side, and a horde of Russian hit men on his tail…Logan realizes that there was more to the ill-fated mission than he originally believed. As the danger rises, Logan will be forced to visit those places he had sworn off forever, dark shadows of his heart not seen since the death of his beloved Shikira.

THE SHELTERING TREEMason Killian lies in critical condition, the victim of a drive by hit. With his best friend fighting for his life, John Logan is determined to unravel who is responsible. To find justice for his friend, Logan must do the unthinkable: he must dig into Killian's life and open things that Killian has kept forever closed. What he finds will lead Logan into a web of deceit, betrayal, and murder, and could jeopardize his friendship with the man who has been his brother in arms for twenty years.

INTO THE MAGIC NIGHTWhen a beautiful exotic dancer asks John Logan for help he is all too willing to help. But she's scared and before she can meet with Logan to tell him her problem, she's dead and Logan is left with more questions than answers. Who was she and why was she so scared? His digging will put Logan into the seedier side of Coral Bay and get him involved with a ruthless businessman, a venture capitalist, and could put him at odds with one of Logan's dearest friends.

John Logan: Four in the Chamber features fantastic cover art and logo design by Jeff Hayes and print formatting by David Foster. The omnibus is now available at Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/o6rju79 and at Pro Se’s own store athttp://tinyurl.com/orm97u3 for $24.00. The book will be available in various digital formats in coming days.

For more information on this title, interviews with the author, or digital copies for review, contact Morgan McKay, Pro Se’s Director of Corporate Operations, at directorofcorporateoperations@prose-press.com.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Here is the cover for the new John Logan Omnibus entitled Four In The Chamber. It contains the first four John Logan novels, all redone and typeset! It will be out soon and of course, I'll let you know.

Meanwhile, The newest Logan adventure, Hindsight will be out around April-June 2015, As the day approaches, I'll be giving you some snippets to whet your whistle.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Hey, gang, Part III of the Eastlander Chronicles continues to trek along. It's going to be a good finish to this story. I got the idea for Cain and his black sword while I was stationed at Ft Leonard Wood, MO. The original thesis of Cain chasing Nyogi was there from the beginning and I'm finally glad to be able to get it out there.

When Part III is done, I have plans to submit it to my publisher for them to consolidate all three stories into one volume. With their talented team behind me, I think it will be a treat to get all three together in one.

HINDSIGHT, the new Logan novel has a scheduled release date of June 2015. I'm already on the editing and revising phase of the project.

Monday, August 11, 2014

So here is how this goes...one author posts a blog and gets two other authors to do the same and so the blogs keep rolling along. Thanks to Rich Steeves for the invite. So I guess I'm supposed to answer some questions so here we go:

1) What are you currently working on?
I have just finished the outline for THE HOUNDS OF WINTER, Part III of my Eastlander Chronicles. In addition, I have the beginning outline for a new John Logan book but the outline is not finished (i.e. I'm not sure how I want the story to finish up, so we're working on it.) As you know, if you've read the first two, we left Cain on his way to Korrin to confront Nyogi, his cousin and rogue Blademaster. Part III will pick up there and follow Cain as he continues his journey.

2) How does your work differ from others in the genre?

I really don't like this question because I don't like to compare my work to anyone else's. That can be the death knell of writing hopes or even an idea. The Eastlander Chronicles and the character of Cain has been rattling around in my head for a long time. I knew that I wanted him to be a stranger in another land, a man of mystery, a warrior, a man who lived by a code. Sort of a samurai-like figure with ideals of duty and honor. Cain has taken a vow that he cannot break so he trudges onward to his goal of finding Nyogi. I grew up reading Conan so perhaps my fantasy work has a slight pulp feel to it, but that's okay. The first two were easy to write and took me no time...Part III has taken a lot longer because of my commitments to the Logan series. But I'm very excited about starting it.

3) Why do I write what I do?
Simple: I write what I like to read. Period. I grew up on Raymond Chandler and Robert B. Parker and Robert E. Howard's Conan. While a part of me would like to write the next bestselling vampire novel
or paranormal, I don't enjoy writing those things and it will show in my writing. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was to write what you like. I love a good PI story and a swashbuckling fantasy full of swinging swords and scantily clad beauties to be rescued. John Logan is a pleasure for me to write; I love Coral Bay and the characters there. When Logan's relaxing on his boat looking out at the water, I'm right there with him.

4) How does my writing process work?
Usually with the John Logan novels I come up with a basic idea (someone hires Logan to do---) or (Logan has this happen to him) then I start detailing the story and the mystery and solution. Usually it can be done in a couple of pages of me just writing out the summary of the story. Then off I go.
Sometimes that plot gets thrown by the wayside or turned sideways because my characters have a way of surprising me sometimes. I try to write every day or at least do something on the story every day, even if it's just getting the next scene done.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

ProSe is working to create an Omnibus of the first four John Logan novels. That's right, the first four books in one volume. I will keep you informed how things are coming along and when you can expect it to hit the shelves.

HINDSIGHT, the newest Logan novel, is due out in 2015. Again, I'll keep you up too date.

Personally, things are fine. Have been active in my church, work is going full bore as usual, and the domestic front is never boring. My wife has recuperated from a broken ankle so I'm glad to have her back on both solid feet again.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

I hope everyone had a safe 4th of July holiday and enjoyed the time with family and friends, and celebrating our nation's birthday. I fired up the grill and managed to get everything done before the heavens opened and a rainstorm hit. That's weather in Florida....sunny one minute, raining the next. It's hard to golf in such unpredictable weather!

ProSe has informed me that they are still hard at work on getting the first four John Logan novels redesigned with new covers and trying to fit a print date into their schedule. I admit, it's slower than I would have liked but I also have to remember that ProSe is a much larger outfit that my former publisher. They publish a LOT of books so their release schedule is set over a year out so any changes causes ripples and some major scrambling. Hats off to them for working to get this done.

By the way, if you'd like to check out their range of books, ProSe is a leader in pulp fiction and adventure. Check them out at www.prose-press.com.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Just a few notes on things, gang. First of all, I hope that this post finds you well.

--I'm still awaiting the finalization on my John Logan series from ProSe. They are redesigning the covers and will be featuring the series in an omnibus collection which should be interesting. I will let you know when this happens.

--The latest John Logan novel, tentatively entitled Hindsight is due out in 2015. It began as a simple one sentence question: What if Logan...? and kind of grew from there.I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

--Right now I'm working on The Hounds of Winter, Part III of my Eastlander Chronicles short story series. ProSe has agreed to look at them and perhaps put them in a one book collection down the road.

--My trusted laptop, which I'm using right now, is slowly beginning to wind down its life. I'm being forced to look into another laptop, but it's like saying goodbye to an old friend. This laptop and I have created a lot of adventures together.

--My daughter managed to come home and spend two weeks with us while she did her summer internship at our local hospital. It was strange, but very fun, having her home for so long.

--In case you're wondering, I'm already collecting ideas for another Logan adventure. The plot is still percolating in my brain along with storylines for a few other novels. It never stops.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

As many of you know, COLD DISH was published through my new publisher, ProSe. The previous four Logan novels were through Seven Realms, which is no longer carrying my books on their website.

I am in the process of securing everything needed for ProSe to take over the entire John Logan catalog; in the meantime, if you order one of the first four in the series and they are out of stock, I sincerely apologize. I am working to get them back on the market as soon as possible.

I am told that Amazon still has a few copies in their inventory so I'm hoping that there will not be a long disruption in availability.

Again, my apologies for any future inconvenience and I will make sure you get the announcement when the ProSe has them available.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Hey gang. It's a bittersweet day for me. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. I'm thinking of my own mom whom I lost two months ago. For the first time, I can't pick up the phone and call her. I miss her terribly.

My daughter surprised her mom by showing up unannounced to take us to eat. I knew about the visit, but I was sworn to secrecy. My daughter has just wrapped up her sophomore year at pharmacy school so she's been unable to come home as much as she'd like to.

The next John Logan novel is pretty well finished except for a final edit from me before I send it to the publisher. HINDSIGHT will be out in 2015 if all goes well.

As for me, I'm doing well and watching a lot of the Stanley Cup playoffs and golf. My own golf game is improving but not as much as I'd like.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Oh, yeah, baby, I get blocked and I've spent the last several weeks banging my head against the dreaded blank screen. It happens to me once in a while, especially after I've finished a novel. It's happened before and it will happen again.

So what do you do?

Well, nothing beats sitting down and just writing something, some scene, some story, anything. Many times it's crap and you know it's crap but it helps to get the juices flowing.

Some say it's because of the death of my mom that's got me all messed up, but I was blocked before she passed so I can't use that excuse.

All I know is last night I sat down with the determination to start #3 of the Eastlander Chronicles and lo, it happened. All is back on track with Rick now.

By the way, The next Logan novel should be out in 2015. HINDSIGHT is a good one and I can't wait for you to read it.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

It was not a big shock; she'd been in failing health for several years and my brother and I knew the end was coming soon. I rushed home, driving 700 miles in a downpour that had soaked the East Coast. She passed away before I got there.

I suppose that most everyone thinks their mom is the best one. I know I certainly had a good one. Gentle and soft spoken with the courage and inner strength of a thousand lions, she became a widow at 49 and worked two jobs for 25 years to keep busy and provide for us. She was a woman of simple tastes, never going for the fancy stuff in life. She never used a computer, never had a cell phone, and her greatest joy was telling people about her grandchildren. She was a woman of faith and she passed that faith onto her two boys.

Mom died 4 days after her 81st birthday. I called her to wish her a happy birthday and to let her know that her present--two gospel CD's--were on their way. She sounded strong and her mind seemed clear. As always, before I hung up the phone, I told her I loved her. While I knew those opportunities were diminishing, I still didn't think it would be the last time. But it was. My aim was to call her Thursday night to check on her but that call would never be made.

Anyway, I'm home now. The funeral's over, goodbyes said. Tomorrow I begin my normal routine again of work and family and writing. But I wanted to take a moment to tell you something about a special lady--one whose name will never go into history, but who deserved to.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Today I saw a video of a guy who lost 140 pounds in 10 months. (It's on You tube if you want to watch it, but you might want to bring some tissues). He had bad knees, a bad back, and walked with the help of 2 canes. Doctors said he would never walk unaided again. One yoga instructor believed in him and through sheer guts and determination he started trying yoga, falling down and getting back up. Now he's walking and running!

We have no excuses, gang. Whether it's losing weight (I'm trying to lose 10 pounds) or writing that novel or going back to school, there is simply no excuses. If Helen Keller can graduate college without being able to see or hear, if Seaworld can teach a fish to shoot a basketball, what's your excuse? What is mine?

Fear? Usually. Fear of failure.

This man in the video failed. He fell and fell and fell and he got back up. Maybe he was at that point where he had nothing to lose even if he failed. Sometimes you get to that point.

My first big fork in the road moment in my life was when I joined the Army. I did it for a lot of reasons but the main one was to prove to myself that I had the guts to do it, to endure the rigors and come out the other side. I was the last one anyone would have expected to join. Certainly not my family. I was scared as hell when I shipped out and I knew it wouldn't be easy. But I did it.

Writing? How many years of trying, failing? It took a challenge from my daughter to put those few words on paper that would eventually be Survivor's Affair.

When I turned 40 I didn't like myself and I knew I had to make some changes. I got contact lenses and started working out. Another challenge and another good decision. Now I have to drop 10 lbs and although I've never had to seriously diet before, I know I will overcome.

So (and I say this out of love, believe me), shut up and start working. You have no excuses, the time for that is gone. There is only the goal before you. How are you going to get there?

Good luck.

R

P.S. Always eager to hear from you and COLD DISH is out, don't forget. Spread the word!

With his home in ruins, his lover in a coma, and his best friend missing, John Logan finds himself injured, alone, and fighting to protect an innocent witness while he works to uncover the truth behind the bombing that has shaken his world. His search will uncover an old familiar killer, a man whose money and power seems endless. It will take all of Logan’s skill and determination to survive. For how does someone who has nothing fight a man who has everything?

You can find other links to Smashwords and get more information on Pro Se's website at www.prose-press.com

Saturday, February 1, 2014

As I announced last week, I have a new publisher. Pro Se Productions will be handling the John Logan series beginning with COLD DISH and will also handle some of my upcoming projects I think. Tommy Hancock and the rest of the Pro Se team have been fantastic in welcoming me and I look forward to many years with them.

But I cannot let such a moment pass without a few words of thanks to Kent Holloway and Seven Realms Publishing. I first met Kent in a writer's group that we were both a part of and I got to know him pretty well. When he founded Seven Realms I was the first author he called. He'd read some of my first John Logan snippets in what would eventually morph into Survivor's Affair and he wanted to publish me. It took almost another year of work to get the manuscript down and wow, I learned more in that year about writing than I'd ever had before. I learned how the publishing business works, how fickle and cruel it can be, and I learned the thrill of holding that first published novel in my hand.

Kent saw this raw manuscript and he knew it could be great and his vision, both of Logan and Seven Realms, made both successful. He took a chance on me and I am forever grateful.

Kent called me and said that he was taking Seven Realms into a new direction, that he had hated to break it to me, but his own circumstances dictated it and he felt it was the best move for the company. After hearing him, I admit I had to agree. The novels he's looking into are not really stuff that I write about and Logan would be very out of place among the new titles. Kent worked diligently to get my name out and get me a new publisher.

I am forever indebted to him for his faith in me and I treasure our friendship both professional and private. My time at Seven Realms is gone but Pro Se has taken on the challenge and I am thankful. Logan, Teri, and Killian will continue to thrive in Coral Bay.

As we get ready to launch COLD DISH, I have finished the first draft of a new Logan novel. I am so grateful to you, my readers, for your support over the past five years. Peace and love to you.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Okay fans, here is the big announcement. After four books and five years, the owners of Seven Realms Publishing have decided to take the company in a new direction. So I have teamed up with the good people of Pro Se Productions to continue the John Logan series. I'm very excited about the move and think Logan will be a good fit for him and the Coral Bay crew. Here is the official announcement:

JOHN LOGAN THRILLER SERIES BY RICK NICHOLS FINDS NEW HOME AT PRO SE PRODUCTIONS

Pro Se Productions, a leading Publisher of Pulp and Genre Fiction, revealed today the move of a well established series character and author from one publisher to Pro Se’s catalog and staff of writers. Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor in Chief of Pro Se announced that author Rick Nichols, creator of THE JOHN LOGAN series of thrillers, is bringing his seminal mystery/adventure thriller series and its unique leading man from Seven Realms Publishing to Pro Se.

“It’s always exciting,” says Hancock, “when we get the chance to bring a wonderful writer, a stunning character, and a great set of stories to Pro Se. This is made even more exciting by the fact that I’ve been a fan of the John Logan books since the first one. When Kent Holloway, the man behind Seven Realms, let me know that his company was changing directions and would no longer be publishing most of its current lineup or taking new titles in the future, he asked if Pro Se would consider taking Rick and his Logan series on. The answer took as long as it took me to type ‘YES!’”

The series by Nichols focuses on John Logan, former Intelligence operative turned Private Investigator. Trying to leave years replete with death and pain behind him, Logan finds his own past coming back to haunt him and a present that keeps slamming him in the face as well. Old friends and enemies, new crimes and mysteries surround Logan as he tries to work forward from a life that keeps pulling him back.

The first John Logan novel from Pro Se will be COLD DISH, the fifth in the series and the direct sequel to the fourth book, INTO THE MAGIC NIGHT. COLD DISH is tentatively slated for release in March 2014 in Print and Digital format. The previous four books will be released two volumes each in two omnibuses within the next year.

Nichols states, "I'm very excited about being a part of the Pro Se team. I look forward to a long relationship and am already working on the next John Logan thriller."

Rick Nichols is the author of the John Logan series of thrillers. He is a former US Army Military Police officer. When he’s not busy creating worlds, he loves reading, golf, guitar, chess, and a friendly game of poker. He lives in Florida.